Driving tractor on public roads

[Cliff_Johns]

I emailed my local police and just signed it Cliff. I asked them if it was OK to drive my tractor (Specified a SMV sign and flashers) a mile or so to the rental place and back.

I got a nice reply saying that it was not a problem although they would appreciate a quick call to the desk sargent to let them know when I was doing that, but that it wasn't required.

I haven't done it yet, but I don't forsee any problems. This is Chicago suburbs.

Cliff

 

[johnk]

Who would be liable if someone barreled into your tractor while enroute? A lot of liberal sue happy people out there wouldn't miss the chance to make some easy money. Just my opinion. I'd worry about insurance if I was driving it down the road not an appearance ticket from the local police. Cival liability is a real liability in this day and age.

 

[jim_wilson]

I agree that getting in an accident/insurance issues would probably be my biggest concern. I pretty much asked this question out of curiousity anyway - If I had to bring the tractor somewhere I would much rather load it on a trailer and haul it there rather than drive down the road at 7mph. If the tractor is trailered that keeps the wear and tear on the driveline down also.

 

[Cliff_Johns]

We covered that in a thread not to long ago. My current insurence only covers the tractor, but I'm changing carriers -- that's why I haven't traveled on the road yet.

The thread was called "Personal use tractor insurance" last post 6/16 -- I can't seem to get the linking thing to work right now.



Cliff

 

[AndyMA]

Jim

I think you've been steered wrong buy some of these answers. the registry site was about titling, not registering and it does not "entend". Just look at trailers under 3000 LB. No title but they sure need to be registered. It is my understanding that any motor vehicle in Mass over 50cc needs to be registered. In Conn farm tractors do not need to be registered if you are conducting farm business. BTW, I suspect that in Mass driving an unregistered, uninsured results in 2 violations, the uninsured one being a felony and the tractor being loaded on a flat bed and impounded. Don't ask how I know this... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Do yourself a favor an dcall the registry. Don't trust the answer from your local police.

Andy

 

[jim_wilson]

Thanks Andy - my common sense tells me that MA would not let anything slide by that they could revenue out of therefore there has to be some sort of registration or license that you need on the tractor in order to drive it on public roads. I have talked with a couple of guys I work who both claim to have driven their tractors on public roads in their (suburban not rural) towns and not had a problem. I think a lot of that has more to do with the local police and their attitudes towards the whole thing than anything else. After doing some Google searching it looks like the answer is most likely No - the tractor cannot be driven on public roads without a special permit or registration. Going a few houses up the block would probably be ok since the likelihood of getting caught is pretty slim but any significant distance runs the risks of the things you described.

 

[AndyMA]

Your welcome Jim. BTW I actually live in Mass. My business and farm are in Conn and I'm in the process of trying to build a house on the farm. You can get farm plates in Mass but you have to qualify as a farm and also get insurance.

Andy

 

[MadDog]

Jim: I live in Eastern MA too and checked the statutes and posted the results several months ago. I expect a search would turn it up. I am not sure I remember the details accurately but I THINK that you can drive up to 1/4 or 1/2 mile on public ways without being registered and, up to 2 miles without being registered IF you have insurance that covers the tractor while on the roads.

That's the rub, you want to read your homeowner's and auto policies carefully to be sure that you are covered by at least one of them for liability off premises while running the tractor even though it is not an insured vehicle under your auto policy.

Remember, this is just my memory of what I looked up 3 or 4 months ago.

It may not be accurate and thus, worth no more than it has cost you. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[beenthere]

Mention has been made of 'farm' use of tractors. In the midwest, the definition of 'farmer' has been occasionally coming down as one who makes his primary income from farming. Now, that has so far just been used to assess property as farm or residential, but I can see it coming that it isn't a 'farm' tractor, unless the primary (over 50%) of income comes from a farm that this tractor belongs to. Might leave a few of us CUT owners without a 'farm'. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Not trying to lead this discussion in any other direction, as I think the 'don't ask' is the best assumption. Have the SMV sign, have amber blinkers working, watch out for traffic, and don't become a 'road hog' while driving. (Some 'farmers' figure they own just as much of that side of the highway lane as the cars do. Some can be pretty beligerant, like bike riders almost). /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[tc35dforme]

The twist here in MA is the definition of a motor vehicle...

There is some latent verbage in the laws that deal with the speed of the vehicle.

Around me ( close to the MA State Police Academy with tons of SP traffic ) when the hay is being cut, you could pretty much move anything over the road and not get a look from the police. Of course...not being cited doesn't absolve you from liability if you cause a wreck.

I guess it comes down to what you're doing. An occasional trip should be OK...daily commuting ....well /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif